Sabah weather in May
May is a fair month to visit Sabah: highs of 28°C (82°F) and about 218 mm (8.6 in) of rain on average. Nights average 23°C (74°F) and cloud cover 82% (NASA POWER, 2001–2025 averages). The sea averages 31°C (87°F). It is the 5th driest month of the year and the 2nd warmest. Compared with April, it is about as warm and wetter; June brings highs of 27°C (81°F) and 263 mm (10.4 in) of rain.
Figures are long-term averages for Kota Kinabalu, the largest city in Sabah. See below for other places.
Is May a good time to visit Sabah?
fair month Weather score 47/100.
May is a fair month in Sabah. The weather is usually best in Feb–Apr.
Does it rain a lot in Sabah in May?
Yes, it is one of the rainy months: about 218 mm (8.6 in) falls in an average May. It is the 5th driest month of the year.
How warm is Sabah in May?
Days average 28°C (82°F) and nights 23°C (74°F).
Sabah weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Cloud | Sea | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 197 mm | 85% | 30°C (85°F) | fair |
| February | 27°C (80°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 98 mm | 77% | 29°C (84°F) | best |
| March | 27°C (81°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 123 mm | 74% | 29°C (84°F) | best |
| April | 28°C (83°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 138 mm | 72% | 30°C (86°F) | best |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 218 mm | 82% | 31°C (87°F) | fair |
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 263 mm | 84% | 31°C (87°F) | least pleasant |
| July | 27°C (80°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 259 mm | 86% | 31°C (87°F) | least pleasant |
| August | 27°C (80°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 239 mm | 84% | 31°C (87°F) | least pleasant |
| September | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 272 mm | 85% | 30°C (86°F) | least pleasant |
| October | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 356 mm | 86% | 30°C (86°F) | least pleasant |
| November | 27°C (80°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 282 mm | 84% | 30°C (86°F) | least pleasant |
| December | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 270 mm | 86% | 30°C (86°F) | least pleasant |
Sources: 2001–2025 monthly averages from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), sea temperature from Open-Meteo Marine. Page updated . How we rate months
Weather across Sabah in May
Weather can differ a lot within Sabah: coasts, hills and mountains each have their own climate.
| Place | High | Low | Rain | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu | 28°C (82°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 218 mm | fair |
| Sandakan | 29°C (84°F) | 27°C (80°F) | 156 mm | best |
| Tawau | 29°C (84°F) | 28°C (82°F) | 221 mm | fair |
| Lahad Datu | 29°C (83°F) | 24°C (76°F) | 175 mm | best |
| Putatan | 28°C (82°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 218 mm | fair |
| Donggongon | 28°C (82°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 218 mm | fair |
| Keningau | 27°C (80°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 220 mm | fair |
| Semporna | 29°C (84°F) | 28°C (82°F) | 198 mm | fair |
| Bandar Labuan | 29°C (85°F) | 28°C (83°F) | 216 mm | fair |
| Sipitang | 28°C (82°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 245 mm | fair |
| Petagas | 28°C (82°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 218 mm | fair |
| Kudat | 29°C (85°F) | 27°C (81°F) | 170 mm | fair |